A UK researcher is on a mission to improve messaging.  

Physical activity guidelines are the fundamental way academics and decision makers communicate the latest scientific research to the public. They are used to raise awareness, improve knowledge, and open a conversation about increasing physical activity participation.  

Physical activity guidelines have historically emphasized aerobic exercise for physical health. More recently, the United Kingdom’s (UK) Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines aimed to give the strength component the merit it deserved and strategically placed strength training at the center of their physical activity infographic. The infographic reminds us to ‘Build strength on at least 2 days a week to keep muscles, bones, and joints strong.’ However, previous work by Gluchowski et al. (2002) suggests there is still a very low awareness, understanding, and adherence to these strength guidelines.  

As a result of her findings, Dr. Ashley Gluchowski, a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and University Fellow at the University of Salford, partnered with a local charity in the UK, Greater Manchester Moving. Their research applied the Physical Activity Messaging Framework developed by Williamson and colleagues to design inclusive messaging to accompany the guidelines and more effectively encourage participation in this life-saving exercise modality. 

This is the first study to use the Physical Activity Messaging Framework to develop messaging for the strength component of the physical activity guidelines. To reach population-level physical activity targets set out in the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity, messaging and communication strategies that address the strength component will need to be considered. The International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) supports the use of mass media campaigns with clear, consistent messages to encourage higher levels of awareness and participation. And while there are several national campaigns that encourage aerobic activities, there are no UK-wide messaging campaigns associated with the strength component of the guidelines.  

Ashley’s latest research brought UK citizens together to have their say on messaging strategies for the strength component of the physical activity guidelines. During this research, she found that her participants wanted:  

• Mass media campaigns linking to evidence-based information about strength training via QR code 

• ‘How to do it’ content – since ‘how’ to perform strength-based exercise was the main barrier to participation in this component of the guidelines 

• Their workplace to promote and encourage strength training, given its benefits in reducing sedentary behavior, boosting productivity, and increasing resilience to musculoskeletal issues. 

From this input, Ashley and her public participants have co-designed 11 messaging guidelines. These are guidelines that the workplace, gyms or leisure centers, and healthcare organizations can follow as a starting point when promoting or designing strength training in their own setting or context.  

These 11 guidelines suggest:  

• Using real images of real people being strong and active in a variety of ways (not just of athletic-looking young people in a gym setting),  

• Focusing on both the short and long-term benefits of strength training, including the physical, mental and social health benefits, and 

• Ensuring that ability-appropriate options are available for everyone, including people who are new to strength training as well as those looking to effectively continue on their strength training journey 

These 11 guidelines can be used when communicating, developing formal messaging (example: social media campaigns), or designing and promoting strength training programmes for the target population (employees, members/clients, and/or patients).  

Ashley hopes this guidance will stimulate further discussion on how to remove barriers for those who are new to strength training and how to keep people adhering to strength training, long term. She hopes that improved messaging around the strength component of the guidelines will help strength training to be seen as inclusive, removing the current barriers to participation and encouraging participation in this vitally important component of the physical activity guidelines.  

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